Blog – Page 26 – News Stand

08 Jun

First e-ID cards to launch in July next year

info_e12wt4csNational News

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Starting from July 2026, Namibians will be able to use electronic identity cards (e-ID). This comes as the ministry of home affairs recently announced plans to launch the first e-ID system in July 2026. In April of this year, the home affairs minister, Lucia Iipumbu first unveiled the plan that the country is transitioning to a digital identity system. The ministry’s executive director, Etienne Maritz, said the e-ID will transform identity management and improve access to public and private services in Namibia. According to the ministry, this initiative aligns with the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) model governance…

08 Jun

‘Days of underperforming employees are numbered’ – Luvindao

info_e12wt4csFeatured, National News

Niël Terblanché The Minister of Health and Social Services, Dr Esperance Luvindao, warned underperforming employees that their days are numbered. She said the health ministry will no longer tolerate individuals who fail to meet their responsibilities while continuing to draw salaries. Speaking during a recent courtesy meeting with the Public Service Commission (PSC), Luvindao said, “We are hired with terms of reference, and these must be clearly understood to hold people accountable.” The meeting allowed the health minister to engage with PSC officials led by chairperson Salmaan Jacobs. She received a briefing on the commission’s mandate and functions, especially in…

08 Jun

Local businesses urged to invest in manufacturing

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché Nearly N$750,000 was raised during a fundraising gala dinner on Saturday at the Ondangwa Trade Fair Centre. The event aimed to support the 12th Ondangwa Trade and Industrial Exhibition, scheduled from 27 June to 5 July 2025. The theme for this year’s exhibition is “Building Resilient Industries Through Innovation and Smart Partnerships”. Prime Minister Elijah Ngurare opened the pledge with a N$5 000 donation. Contributions followed from corporate entities, government institutions, and private individuals, bringing the total to N$740 600. Ngurare told attendees that exhibitions like the one in Ondangwa play a key role in national development. “The…

08 Jun

Inmate telephone system launched

info_e12wt4csFeatured, National News

Niël Terblanché The Namibian Correctional Service officially launched the Telio Inmate Telephone System at the Walvis Bay and Swakopmund correctional facilities on Friday. This system is part of the country’s wider reform of the justice and correctional systems. The Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Lucia Iipumbu, spoke at the launch. She said the initiative supports the government's digital transformation and institutional modernisation. “This is not merely a communication tool. It is a platform for empowerment, reform, and reintegration. It enables inmates to maintain monitored contact with their families, a connection proven to reduce recidivism and promote successful…

08 Jun

Parts of Oshikoto affected by planned water outage

info_e12wt4csNational News

Niël Terblanché The Namibia Water Corporation (NamWater) announced a planned water supply shutdown in parts of the Oshikoto region from midnight on Monday until midnight on Tuesday. NamWater spokesperson Lot Ndamanomhata said the shutdown will affect all distribution pipelines connected to the Onembenge 2nd Tower. “This means that all communities supplied by the Omulingi-Okakodhi-Ontana rural pipeline network, including all associated sub-branch lines, will be impacted,” he said. Ndamanomhata explained that the interruption is needed to upgrade the distribution network and remove bottleneck fittings at the tower. “These essential works are part of NamWater’s efforts to improve flow efficiency and enhance…

08 Jun

Iranian dividends remain frozen at Rössing

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Chamwe Kaira Rössing Uranium is holding N$421 million in restricted Iranian funds in 2024, up from N$394 million in 2023. This money represents dividends owed to the Iran Foreign Investment Company (IFIC), a shareholder in the company. The funds were first restricted under United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1929. Although that resolution was later repealed by UNSCR 2231, some sanctions remain in place. The United States Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) lists IFIC as a government-controlled entity. It has also placed IFIC on its Specifically Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List. “The board has critically assessed this…

08 Jun

MTC invests over N$4 million in employee businesses

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Allexer Namundjebo Mobile Telecommunications Ltd (MTC Namibia) has awarded over N$4 million to support employee-run businesses since the launch of its internal Dreamers Program. Launched in 2021, the MTC Dreamers Program provides financial assistance and entrepreneurship training to employees running part-time businesses alongside their full-time jobs. “To date, the program has assisted 80 MTC ambassadors with over N$4 million,” said MTC’s chief brand, marketing, communications, and sustainability officer, Tim Ekandjo. Ekandjo said the initiative was established to help staff pursue their dreams of owning businesses while still working at the company. “Just as we are philanthropic to the nation, we…

08 Jun

Understanding the legal consequences of default

info_e12wt4csObserver Money

Eddie King Understanding the legal consequences of financial default is essential for anyone managing personal or business-related debt. Default occurs when a debtor fails to meet the legal obligations of a loan, typically by not making the required payments. This failure can trigger a series of legal actions with long-term financial impacts. Before initiating legal action, a creditor will contact the debtor to request payment. This approach allows the debtor to settle the debt or arrange payments and avoid legal proceedings. Legal Action and Collection Processes Creditors may initiate legal proceedings to recover the debt when a default occurs. This…

08 Jun

Nakathila defends USA performance despite defeat

info_e12wt4csSports

Erasmus Shalihaxwe Namibian boxer Jeremiah Nakathila says he is proud of the work he has done in the United States, despite losing to American boxer Abdullah Mason by a fifth-round technical knockout on Sunday. Nakathila (35) suffered a deep cut above his left eye during the fight. The injury blurred his vision, and the referee stopped the bout. The fight took place in the United States and was Nakathila’s fifth match there. He has now lost four of those fights, winning only once against Miguel Berchelt in March 2022. His professional record now stands at 30 fights, with 26 wins…

05 Jun

Cheetah Cement sidelines workers on Ohorongo merger

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Allexer Namundjebo Cheetah Cement did not inform its workers about the planned merger with Ohorongo Cement. This came to light during a stakeholders’ conference held in Windhoek on Thursday by the Namibian Competition Commission (NaCC). Cheetah Cement, operated by Whale Rock Cement (Pty) Ltd, said it deliberately withheld the information from workers. A spokesperson for the company, Tabby Moyo, stated that they deliberately withheld the information to prevent speculation and confusion. “The decision is to avoid speculations and confusion among employees,” Moyo said. Meanwhile, Meyer van den Berg, the legal representative of Ohorongo Cement, informed their employees about the planned…